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Cheers 2 Wine News - September 2008 Issue
September 23, 2008
Cheers from Steve and Kathy Howe!


Wine Quote


""Wine ... cheereth God and man."

Judges 9:13








Wine of the Month

Rosenblum Cellars

Our latest wine of the month is Rosenblum Cellar's Desiree Chocolate Dessert Wine. This wonderful dessert wine is perfect for after dinner sipping. You will enjoy the enticing blend of Zinfandel and 2 of Portugal's classic varietals infused with chocolate. A delightful treat for chocolate lovers! ($20)

Rosenblum's winery is located in Alameda (east of San Francisco). This tasting room at 2900 Main Street Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501 is open daily from 11-5. They have another wine tasting room in downtown Healdsburg at 250 Center Street. For more information you can call the winery at (510) 865-7007 or their Healdsburg location at (707)431-1169.



Be sure to check back each month for our wine of the month.





Calaveras County Wine Tasting

Calaveras County was made famous by Mark Twain in 1860 when he wrote the story, �The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras�. Since then, this area has become famous for its wines as well.

Most Calaveras wineries are located in Murphys, with others being located in Valley Springs and Mokelume Hill. Spend some time in historic Calaveras County soaking up the beautiful scenery, exploring the Calaveras wineries, and sipping the delicious wines of this area. You won�t be disappointed!

Don't miss the annual Calaveras Grape Stomp which will be held in Murphys on Saturday October 4th. Enjoy wine stomping, auctions, art, food, wine tasting, and street fair.

While visiting this beautiful area of the Sierra Nevada foothills, enjoy fine dining at V Restaurant and Bar in downtown Murphys. Be sure to call for reservations, especially on weekends. V is popular with both locals and visitors to the area. They serve lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday and brunch and dinner on Sundays.

If you can get away for a night or two, treat yourself to a stay at Dunbar House. Dunbar House is a Calaveras County Bed and Breakfast that is rated four diamonds by the Automobile Association of American. Each of the 5 unique rooms is beautifully decorated and designed for pampering. Dunbar House is within walking distance to 10 wineries and the V Restaurant and Bar.



Top Wine Picks

These are some of the top wines on the market right now. Click on the label to learn more about each of these wines.

Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1999


Keller Estate La Cruz Syrah


Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2006


Wild Horse Chardonnay 2006


Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris 2004


Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon - Best Buy!


Francis Ford Coppola Shiraz



Blend Your Own Wine

You're the winemaker in this hands-on workshop. Copia's staff will advise as you select varietals for your own custom blend. Pop in a cork and add a personalized label, and you'll take home wonderful memories - as well as a one-of-a-kind bottle of wine.

Copia in Napa is offering wine blending workshops throughout October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3:15 until 4:30. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. Program subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment not met. Call for more information or to make reservations: (707) 259-1600
More Details


Tour the Wine Country in a Romantic Carriage

Ride through the vineyards from winery to winery in a horse-drawn carriage. The Sonoma Horse and Carriage Wine Tasting Tour with Gourmet Picnic is a perfect getaway.

Enjoy complimentary wine tastings at four of Sonoma County's finest wineries. Indulge in a delightful picnic under the oaks with fresh baguettes, gourmet cheese, organic strawberries, dark chocolate and more.

It's more than a wine tour, it's a unique and romantic wine tasting adventure! Book online and save. This tour lasts 4 hours and cost $300 per couple. Call (888) 881-3309 for more information.
More Details




Taste Wine While Cruising in a Gondola

Journey on a full moon gondola wine cruise like no other. Enjoy wine tasting of boutique wines, delectable appetizers, good vibes, and a FULL MOON.

This romantic gondola ride take you through the canals of Naples. Your trip includes appetizers & wine tasting, and gondola cruise.

Tours depart directly from the Gondola Getaway Docks in Naples on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8:30 PM:
Gondola Getaway Docks
Address: 5437 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
More Details

Cruise California's Wine Country

Yes, you can cruise the California Wine Country! Cruise West has ships departing from San Francisco that sail into the wine country via the Napa River. Cruises range from 3 to 7 night trips.

Both wine novices and connoisseurs will enjoy tastings and interactive discussions about the history, mystery and delicacies of wine.

You will enjoy wine tasting, gourmet foods, and more both on the ship and in the gorgeous Napa Valley. For more information call (888) 851-8133. More Details

Monterey Wine Festival

Monterey's 32nd annual Wine Festival will open on October 16th with the Grand Tasting at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sample wine and food while enjoying the aquarium�s marine displays. On the 18th festivities will take place at the Monterey Fairgrounds, with a live wine auction, gourmet food offerings and more than 600 different wines. This year, wineries from Oregon, Washington and Australia will join the festival. For more information, call 800-422-0251. More Details




Do Your Own Wine Search



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Wine Tasting Coupons

Print Your Own Wine Tasting Coupons...for Free!
As a subscriber to Cheers 2 Wine News you can access our pages of free wine tasting coupons. Some of these coupons allow you to taste for free while others let 2 people sample wine for the price of 1. The password for these pages is sent in the newsletter each month.




Cheers 2 Wine has free wine tasting coupons available from the following wineries: August Briggs, Vihuela Winery, Bonny Doon, Chandelle Winery, Deerfield Ranch, Hanna Winery, Orfilia Vineyards, and Zahitila Vineyards.

2 for 1 wine tasting coupons are available for these wineries: Andretti Winery, Beringer Vineyards, Girard Winery, Goosecross Cellars, Hess Collection, Raymond Vineyards, Whitehall Lane Winery, William Hill Estate, Blackstone Winery, Castle Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Wandering Dog Wine Bar, Sort This Out Cellars, and Wilson Creek Winery.





Cooking With Wine Recipes

"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."

W.C. Fields



Linguine in Wine Sauce

6 oz. cooked linguine
1 medium sized tomato diced
1 teaspoon fresh crushed garlic
4 leaves of chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon of chopped shallots
4 oz. Chardonnay wine
1 1/2 Tablespoons virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Pour olive oil into skillet.
2. Add the tomato, garlic, and shallots.
3. Saute for 4 minutes. Add wine. Continue cooking for a minute to reduce liquid.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Toss sauce with the cooked linguine.
6. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.
7. Add grilled shrimp or bite-sized pieces of chicken, if desired.




Chardonnay Glaze

This glaze is delicious served with ham or pork chops.

3/4 cup grape juice
1/4 cup orange juice
zest from 1 lemon
zest from 1 orange
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup Chardonnay
10 chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons cold water
Dash of mace
Dash of nutmeg
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1. Simmer wine, juices, and zest in a sauce pan for 10 minutes.
2. Add almonds and apricots.
3. Mix cornstarch, mustard, and water in a bowl.
4. Slowly add 3 tables of the hot mixture and stir.
5. Pour cornstarch mixture into pan of juices. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add mace and nutmeg to taste.

Makes 1 cup.






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